Coping with treats and office lunches

So I'm doing well. Its only the beginning for me and I want to stay on the straight and narrow. I've organised a dim sum lunch tomorrow wiry colleagues for Chinese New year and I wish I could get out of it now.... How do you all manage to go to these events and stay good?! I could eat a few and just down the Chinese tea but that's rather depressing isn't it? I'd just rather avoid it...

Likewise I am meeting friends on Friday. Its a rare escape for me as kiddies as so little. We've arranged cocktails and I was going to have two but now there is talk of dinner. I just don't want to go to restaurants... Anyone else have advice how to go and enjoy but stay on track...

[Shotglass Maintainer]

Most of that is habit. You´ll end up finding that the goal of the meet-up is spending time with people you like. Check the menu beforehand if you can and find something you´ll enjoy but won´t break the calorie bank. Same thing with drinks. Concentrate on the company and let nice food and drink be a bonus.

[PippiRuns 6kg Restart Jan 2025]

Are you calorie counting? Can you budget it into your plan for tomorrow? It won't be exact, but if you guestimate that each dim sum piece costs 75 kcal, then you can plan how many you will allow yourself to eat. Perhaps also decide to stay away from the deep fried ones.

Can you perhaps also, as one of the organisers, make sure there are some raw vegetables/ a big vegetable salat on the buffet, so that there is something to fill you up?

Regarding a visit to a restaurant. If you know which restaurant you are going to visit, look at their menu in advance and decide what you will eat. Steer clear of the bread basket and the desserts.

I guess what I am saying is: Plan, go with "the better choice" but enjoy life with friends and colleagues. If you can't do that, what is weight loss for! This is for life. You don't want to deprive yourself. If you do, it wont last.

[Hidden in reply to PippiRuns]

Thanks that's great advice. In loosing weight and not cal counting. I've shed the weight after my second baby 2 years ago by the same... Eat well and cut the heavy carbs snacks etc etc. But you've made me feel better. I guess I'm still at the beginning of this process so missing the naughty things but as the lady above suggested, it's probably a shift in mindset that will come hopefully as I kick bad habits. Thank you for your reply x

[PippiRuns 6kg Restart Jan 2025 in reply to Hidden]

Wonderful! You know what to do. Enjoy tomorrow and let me know how it goes.

[Hidden in reply to PippiRuns]

Thanks it went well I ate and enjpyed then had a tiny dinner later and actually I've still lost weight. My colleague drove to a a Mcdonald the following day as we had a meeting and I stuck to a 300 cal wrap. It was gross but at least I'm trying to manage to navigate around these situations which I think was your advice. X

[PippiRuns 6kg Restart Jan 2025 in reply to Hidden]

That is fantastic! Weight loss is not “all or nothing” or living the perfect life. It’s about choosing the “better option” and optimising whatever situation you are in. Well done you! 💪🙌